Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 14

4F, Statesman-Journal, Salem, Sunday, July 1 0, 1 988 aeih) moDestta bwikm simp Whitaker, Evans homer to power Tigers to 800th win under Sparky i ii Houston gets past N.Y., 6-3 From wire) report HOUSTON Nolan Ryan said Saturday that ending a slump was important than making history BHI after he led the Houston Astros National York Mets, 6-3. Leaglie In joining Cy Young as the only pitchers to win 100 games with teams in both leagues, Ryan snapped a five-game losing streak and a seven-game losing streak against the Mets. "I'm just glad to get the losing streak behind me," he said. "I wasn't thinking about the 100 wins. I'd just as soon get it against the Mets and get it behind me." Ryan's victory was his 100th as an Astro.

He won 138 for the California Angels. He also won 29 games for the Mets early in his career. Ryan (6-7), the all-time strikeout leader with 4,677, leads the National League with 130 strikeouts this season after fanning five. Ryan pitched innings, gave up eight hits and three runs while walking three. Juan Agosto pitched the final 1V3 innings for his second save.

Rick Aguilera (0-4) was the loser in relief, going 1 innings and giving up four runs on three hits. He walked four. Young won more than 100 games for Cleveland of the National League before the turn of the century and Boston of the American League after the turn. Mets starter' Sid Fernandez, who shut out the Astros and Ryan 5-0 on two hits and 12 strikeouts last Sunday, lost his rhythm. Fernandez gave up single runs in the second and third innings, and was gone after three (nearly 90 pitches, two walks, four hits, one wild pitch) with a 3-2 lead.

Cincinnati 6, Philadelphia 3 at Cincinnati Eric Davis doubled home the tie-breaking run in the seventh inning, and Nick Esasky followed with a two-run homer for the Reds. The Reds overcame a 3-1 deficit with two runs in the fifth off starter Bruce Ruffin and three in the seventh off Kent Tekulve (2-5). A throwing error by catcher John Russell fueled the Reds' winning rally. Chris Sabo singled with two out in the seventh. The Phillies then called a pitch-out as Sabo tried to steal, but Russell bounced the throw into center field for an error, and Sabo reached third.

Davis then lined a full-count The Associated Press DETROIT Lou Whitaker hit a three-run homer, and Darrell Evans had a solo shot Saturday as the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics, 4-3. Detroit starter Frank Tanana (11-4) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out six in six innings. Guillermo Hernandez, the third Tiger pitcher, earned his fourth save. Bob Welch (10-5) gave up four runs, six hits and four walks in 6V3 innings for Oakland. The victory was Sparky Anderson's 800th as Tigers' manager, making him the first to reach that plateau in both leagues.

Oakland manager Tony LaRus-sa sent a note of congratulations to Anderson. "I wish he'd have waited until after the All-Star game to get it," LaRussa said. "Sparky's had a great managerial career. You saw why, again, today." Anderson said, "If I stay healthy, I might be around another 15 years." Oakland scored single runs in the fifth and sixth. Jose Canseco hit his 24th homer in the eighth.

California 8, Cleveland 5 at Cleveland Tony Armas had three hits, including a three-run homer, and Chili Davis snapped an eighth-inning tie with a run-scoring single as California won its fourth in a row. The Angels, helped by two Willie Upshaw errors, scored three runs in the eighth to break a 4-4 tie. They made it 8-4 with a run in the ninth. The Indians made it 8-5 in the bottom of the inning on singles by Andy Allanson, Julio Franco and Terry Francona to knock out reliever Brian Harvey (4-2). Seattle 9, Toronto 3 at Toronto Greg Briley hit his first major league home run, and Steve Balboni added a three-run shot in a five-run fourth inning for the Mariners.

Scott Bankhead (4-3) cruised behind Seattle's 15-hit attack, allowing seven hits and three runs over six innings while striking out five and walking two. Briley broke a 2-2 tie with a leadoff homer in the fourth off Todd Stottlemyre (3-8). "I was just trying to put the ball in play," Briley said. "But I knew I hit it pretty good. When I got to first base, that's when I knew it was over." Baltimore 4, Texas 1 at Baltimore Jim Traber and Ken Ger- 111 American League hart hit back-to-back home runs, and Jay Tibbs scattered eight hits over six innings as Baltimore got its seventh win in 12 games.

With two outs in the sixth and Baltimore leading 2-1, Traber ho- mered on a 3-0 pitch from starter i Charlie Hough (8-9). Gerhart then hit Hough's next pitch over the left field fence. The Orioles have hit 27 home runs in their past 20 games. Boston, Chicago split at Chicago Dan Pasqua, Greg Walker and Daryl Boston hit consecutive home runs in the fourth inning, and Walker tripled in the go-ahead run in the fifth as Chicago beat Boston 8-7 in the first game of a doubleheader. With the White Sox trailing 4-0, Harold Baines walked to open the fourth and scored on Pasqua's 10th home run.

Walker followed with his sixth homer, and Boston then hit his ninth to tie the game. Boston won the second game 8-2, scoring one run in the ninth inning and six runs in the 10th. Ellis Burks' bases-loaded single broke a 2-2 tie and keyed the outburst. Boston had tied the game with one out in the ninth when Todd Benzinger homered. Milwaukee 5, Minnesota 4 at Minneapolis Jim Gantner's two-out, two-run single capped a three-run ninth inning off Minnesota reliever Jeff Reardon.

Reardon (0-3) entered the game to start the ninth to protect a 4-2 lead for starter Allan Anderson. He retired the first two Brewers before giving up singles to Billy Jo Robidoux and Darryl Hamilton. Paul Molitor followed with a double, scoring Robidoux and sending Hamilton to third. Two pitches later, Gantner lined a single to right, causing Reardon to blow his fourth save opportunity out of 27 chances this season. New York 5, Kansas City 3 at New York Randy Velarde singled home the go-ahead run in his first at-bat since returning from the minors, and reliever Charles Hudson pitched out of a ninth-inning jam.

Yankee starter Rick Rhoden (4-6) gave up three runs and six hits in 6 innings. The Royals put runners at second and third with nobody out in the ninth and later loaded the bases with one down before Hudson got his second save. AP lile photo games for one team in each the Mets, 6-3. The Houston Astros' Nolan Ryan joined Cy Young as the only pitcher in major league his- The Expos took a 2-0 lead off rookie Pete Smith (3-9) in the first inning, and added four runs in the second to chase Smith. Atlanta manager Russ Nixon said: "Pete had no idea out there tonight.

Our starting pitching was thoroughly confused." Ken Oberkfell an RBI single, pushing his hitting streak to 10 games for Atlanta. Galarraga, the N.L.'s leading hitter, now has 21 hits in his last 40 at-bats. San Diego 4, Chicago 2 Ed Whitson won his fifth straight decision with relief help as the Padres dealt the Cubs their fourth straight loss. Whitson (8-5) allowed a single through six innings but then gave up four consecutive hits in a two-run rally during the seventh before yielding to Lance McCullers. After McCullers pitched 2V3 innings, Mark Davis got the last out for his 16th save.

Marvell Wynne singled three Marabell file tory to win 100 league. He beat (DlglSIj1 OS LQ)3Dn)j put itrn posotQom Size: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. Age: 22. Bats: Right. Throws: Right.

Position: Catcher, outfield. 1987 club: Sarasota, hit .277 with 32 RBI. as a free agent May 7, 1987. Quotable: "I can't long-arm the ball like I'm doing in the outfield. I have to make more short-arm throw and do it quicker." pitch to the wall in right-center to snap the tie.

Esasky hit his seventh homer to cap the inning and give rookie Rob Dibble (1-0) his first major league victory. John Franco pitched the ninth for his 13th save. Suddenly proving their ability to hit in the clutch, the Reds scored five runs after two were out for the seventh victory in their past 10 games. Cincinnati starter Tom Browning said: "We are playing like we have to right now because the Dodgers aren't going to just roll over and die. We are playing like we have to play to pass three teams and get back in this thing." Montreal 9, Atlanta 4 at Atlanta Hubie Brooks drove in three runs, and Andres Galarraga hit his 20th home run as the Expos' winning streak reached six games.

Dennis Martinez (9-7) allowed six hits, walked one and struck out two in seven innings for his sixth victory in his past seven decisions. The "Last year was the first time I've ever hit below .300," he said of his rookie season at Sarasota. "But then there weren't too many people hitting that well," he said. "It was 100 degrees every day and the air was thick." Like most the Dodgers, Marabell has hit well at home and poor Baseball notes Trouble may loom in the second half of the season, but the Athletics still lead the American League West as baseball pauses for the All-Star break. Indeed, the All-Star Game will be another showcase for the Athletics, with Canseco, McGwire, Terry Steinbach, Carney Lansford and Dennis Eckersley on the AL roster.

Pitchers Dave Stewart (11-7) and Bob Welch (10-4) didn't make the team, but both were worthy of it. Manager Tony La Russa said: "What I like best about this team is the overall balance. Some day's the wind's blowing in, and you can't hit a home run. We hit a lot of singles and run the bases well. If the power's not there one day, we can rely on our pitching." La Russa has relied the most on Eckersley, a 14-year veteran with a 1.53 ERA and major league-leading 25 saves.

Third baseman Lansford, a former AL batting champion with Boston who is going to his first All-Star game, also is having a superb season. "I want to leave the game with a World Series ring, at one," he said. "We've got the talent here to get it." With its talented young players, SaDfin) A y.iV ir'A Signed used to of a times and drove in a run, while Tony Gwynn and Keith Moreland each singled twice and had an RBI to lead a 12-hit attack. Pittsburgh 8, Los Angeles 2 at Los Angeles Mike LaValliere and Barry Bonds hit three-run homers as the Pirates moved to within 4'2 games of New York in the N.L. East.

Mike Dunne (6-7) scattered six hits before needing relief help from Jeff Robinson with two out in the eighth. The only runs off Dunne came in the sixth inning on Mike Scioscia's sacrifice fly and in the eighth on an RBI single by John Shelby. Loser Shawn Hillegas (2-2) worked with men on base in each of the first three innings before the Pirates finally got to him in the fourth. Mike LaValliere, who went 3 for 3, also had an RBI single in the ninth. He is hitting .395 (17 for 43) with runners in scoring position.

has a little power." The Los Angeles Dodgers organization's main concern is developing Marabell as a catcher. "The organization is trying to find a position for him," Beyers said. "Outfielders in the big leagues have to hit the long ball consistently or steal a lot of bases." Marabell said Joe Alvarez, his manager last year, suggested he try catching. So he began learning the backstop position during winter instructional league. However, his progress was delayed in spring training when he broke his right thumb on a foul tip.

"It's tough catching every fourth day, but I'm gradually learning," Marabell said. "I'm finding out there's more to catching than most people think." man Andres Galarraga. He is in contention for a triple crown and also leads the league in hits, runs and slugging percentage. "This is my best time of my life," Galarraga, a native of Venezuela, said. "I play outside the United States, and a lot of people don't see me in Montreal.

We don't have too many fans. They're getting to know me." Numbers game: Don Carman of the Phillies is 0 for 33 this season and hitless in his last 48 at-bats, dating to last year. He's 5 for 127 for his career. St. Louis shortstop Ozzie Smith has 12 errors this season after making 10 last year.

Seattle's Mark Langston has allowed 21 home runs this season, the most in the major leagues. Base runners have been successful in 29 of 31 stolen base attempts this year against lefthander Sid Fernandez of the Mets. Ed Whitson won his fifth straight Saturday night as the Padres downed the Cubs 4-2. "Tonight was the best I felt all year," he said. "I felt outstanding, and I wasn't the least bit tired.

But then I started aiming the ball, trying to make the perfect pitch. "I wish I had been tired. I was trying to throw the ball too hard, and when you squeeze the ball, that's when you make mistakes." Mhletics aire rare! to ff raet is when the catcher turns his glove inside to make an outside pitch look like a strike to the umpire. Throwing is another area that needs improvement. Beyers said Marabell has a strong arm but needs to improve his control.

Marabell said: "I can't long-arm the ball like I'm used to doing in the outfield. I have to make more of a short-arm throw and do it quicker." Marabell also believes he can advance through the minors quicker as a catcher. "If I learn to catch and get the chance to play every day, I figure I'll have a good opportunity to move up," he said. Moving up is the name of the game in the minor leagues. Marabell is a prime example even it means switching positions.

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But his position varies: outfield, catcher or even designated hitter. He's played four positions so far. "It doesn't matter where I play as long as I'm hitting," he said. Beyers said Marabell has made big improvements as a catcher since spring training. "His biggest thing is getting some games in behind the plate," Beyers said.

"He's not a bad receiver, but I've got two other guys." Beyers said a typical rotation has Juan Mora catching two straight games, Marabell the third, Mora the fourth and Hector Ortiz the fifth. "He needs to work on blocking balls and framing pitches," Beyers said of Marabell. Framing pitches 1 41 at 1 and you a-I $R00 WORTH I OF BATTING PORTLAND ASPHALT 2 DAYS Winston West Cup SAT. TWI-NIGHT JULY 9 "Pepsi 100" NASCARNorthwest Tour Race Vi mile Pro Stocks 'A Mile Gates Open 2:30, Adults $12 Students 13-1 6 Seniors $0, Mas $5 Under 3 Free. Family $29 2 Adults 2 Kids By Reid English Of the Statesman-Journal Scott Marabell can be tough to spot on the baseball field because he plays so many positions.

However, he's easily noticeable at bat. That's also where he's most comfortable. Finding a comfortable position is his biggest concern. Marabell has been the Salem Dodgers' long ball threat in the first three weeks of the Northwest League baseball season. He leads the team with four home runs and 21 RBI, numbers which ranked near the top of the league's statistics as of Friday.

Hitting has never been a problem for this former high school wrestling standout from Pennsylvania. From wire reports OAKLAND, Calif. The elephants danced, and the ground shook all over the American League. The Oakland Athletics revived a mascot that first appeared in the days of Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics 86 years ago but vnnishpH in thp 1960s. Tony La Russa Never was it more appropriate, though, than in this season of Oakland's mammoth home run hitters: Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Dave Henderson and Dave Parker.

They average 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and more than 400 feet per homer. "The elephant is the right symbol for us this year," Canseco said. "We've got lots of big guys swinging big bats and hitting homers." Canseco has the major league lead with 24 home runs. McGwire is down from the 49-homer pace of his rookie season last year, but he has 16 and is heating up. Parker, who hit nine homers before tearing a ligament in his right thumb last week, had surgery and will be out at least until September.

The A's will miss his power and leadership. 1 988 ly on the road this year. "I've hit the ball well at times away from home, but I've hit the ball right at people," he said. Tom Beyers, Salem's manager, said he isn't concerned about Marabell's hitting. "He's going to hit," Beyers said.

"He can hit to all fields, and he the Athletics could be a power for years, although it's too soon to compare them with the teams in the early '70s that won three straight World Series with Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter. Canseco said, "We're going to have a strong core for a long time." The Athletics hope to acquire a left-handed hitter in a trade within the next 10 days, club officials said. Fred Lynn of Baltimore is among the players being sought as a replacement for Parker. Detroit right-hander Doyle Alexander, who has earned a reputation for moving around, said he's developing a feeling for the Tigers. "I like the guys on this team," he said.

"There's a good feeling in this clubhouse." That's not to say, however, that money isn't still important. "I've been happy other places," he said. "I was happy in Toronto. I left because they wouldn't pay me. When I leave Detroit it'll probably be for the same reason." Alexander, 37, was selected for the A.L.

All-Star squad. It's the first time in his 18-year career he's been an all-star. Although Montreal is far behind in the standings, no one has been more consistent than first base L-AHALTC0NNECTI0N II SH CONNECTION II.